Southern Football League

[Esteban Vihaio]

A C-Grade team got moved from one division to another, that is exactly what happened!

Anyhow, any comp that has C-Grade teams playing against A-Grade teams cannot be taken seriously, we saw the debacle that occurred when we had that happening in our comp 15 -16 years ago. IMHO a significant factor to the collapse of Div 2 and the situation we have today.

still happening today..

Agreed.

The A grade sides in Southern League would rank anywhere between Div 1 and Div 7 SAAFL.

[Look Good In Leather]

A C-Grade team got moved from one division to another, that is exactly what happened!

Anyhow, any comp that has C-Grade teams playing against A-Grade teams cannot be taken seriously, we saw the debacle that occurred when we had that happening in our comp 15 -16 years ago. IMHO a significant factor to the collapse of Div 2 and the situation we have today.

still happening today..

Agreed.

The A grade sides in Southern League would rank anywhere between Div 1 and Div 7 SAAFL.

At least they are A-Grade teams, ie the best possible 21 at their club, rather than C-Grade teams with the players ranked 43-63. An A-Grade competition cannot be taken seriously when there are some teams within it that are not that club's primary focus. If you are making a comment regarding the standard of some of the A-Grade teams within our competition, then that is a completely different argument, but to refer to some of our league's teams as being no more than C-Grade teams is pretty derogatory.

[MZ]

All clubs got sent a new under 16 Saturday draw today incorporating Brighton and Morphettville park Sunday under 16 sides,

Apparently some Friday night and Sunday games for Saturday 16 sides to accomodate sides....

2 changes of venue/time for 4 clubs and 1 change of venue/time for 6 clubs and no change for a couple.

I think a small price to pay for 50 kids getting 600-700 games of SFL club football.

I don't applaude the SFL administrators often but this has been strong affirmative action a la the SAAFL with the TTG situation.

Also, what U16 kid wouldn't love playing a night game of footy just like their AFL role models?

[woodublieve12]

At least they are A-Grade teams, ie the best possible 21 at their club, rather than C-Grade teams with the players ranked 43-63. An A-Grade competition cannot be taken seriously when there are some teams within it that are not that club's primary focus. If you are making a comment regarding the standard of some of the A-Grade teams within our competition, then that is a completely different argument, but to refer to some of our league's teams as being no more than C-Grade teams is pretty derogatory.

how is it??? those c grade sides would knock some of those sides off!!!

not derogatory, just honest.

[lion heart]

All clubs got sent a new under 16 Saturday draw today incorporating Brighton and Morphettville park Sunday under 16 sides,

Apparently some Friday night and Sunday games for Saturday 16 sides to accomodate sides....

2 changes of venue/time for 4 clubs and 1 change of venue/time for 6 clubs and no change for a couple.

I think a small price to pay for 50 kids getting 600-700 games of SFL club football.

I don't applaude the SFL administrators often but this has been strong affirmative action a la the SAAFL with the TTG situation.

Also, what U16 kid wouldn't love playing a night game of footy just like their AFL role models?

I must admit to being a bit of a fence sitter on this one.

My club has 1 Sacred Heart and 9 Cardijn College players in 14/16s. Our 14s numbers are low and we have a squad of 20 u16s. As soon as college football starts we are going to be be short-handed, so where are our concessions with the draw?? Do we get to switch games to Friday and Sunday?

[vics01]

MZ

Fact is these kids/parents have a choice play club or school on a Saturday. They for a variety of reasons choose to play school football and not club football.

Kids/parents at clubs choose club football for Saturday morning football, after which the rest of the weekend is free or they can participate in the Whole day of fabulous club football atmosphere.

you say there are not many changes to the draw, has consideration been given to the extra cost and and or difficulty to clubs to have to supply trainers and or club umpires for these change of fixtures?

What of the kids who have elected to play Saturday football as they have other commitments on a Friday/Saturday night or Sunday? Does this mean they then miss out?

MSFL caters for college kids who want to play Sunday's.

Example of income loss

Round 20 Reynella A grade at home to Marion, under 16 were at home to Happy Valley, now are drawn Sunday to play Brighton Black. What about the lost $$ to Reynella for losing a Saturday home game. I am sure they like most clubs budget the Saturday BBQ and other takings into the club funds. Stand alone 16 on Sunday will not raise the same money.

Round 17 Morphett Vale home lose 16 to Sunday.

You can be sure Emu's and Flies will not be happy losing more $$ after the SFL only gave them the 1 clash this year not the 2 big money spinners they normaly have.

Round 11 Flagstaff home lose 16 to Sunday, Hawks fram sat to Sunday

Round 10 Cove home lose 16 to Sunday

Round 9 Flagstaff Hill home lose 16 to Sunday

Round 7 Lonsdale home lose 16 to Sunday

Round 6 Happy Valley home lose 16 to Sunday

Whether we like it or not the $$ is very important to the clubs to stay afloat in this day and age. The majority is being forced to accomodate the minority, bit like the current govt.

If you choose to play in a competition because it suits you. You should not expect those who choose to play in another comp. to change to accomodate you.

Do we move the 18 comp as well so all the college boys can play in the SFL and college football??

DTH please feel free to let me have it

[Esteban Vihaio]

At least they are A-Grade teams, ie the best possible 21 at their club, rather than C-Grade teams with the players ranked 43-63. An A-Grade competition cannot be taken seriously when there are some teams within it that are not that club's primary focus. If you are making a comment regarding the standard of some of the A-Grade teams within our competition, then that is a completely different argument, but to refer to some of our league's teams as being no more than C-Grade teams is pretty derogatory.

how is it??? those c grade sides would knock some of those sides off!!!

not derogatory, just honest.

LGIL, what is the cost of the fare to the planet that you live on?

Any league the amount of with 40, 50, 60+ goal drubbings over the past 12 years that the SFL has had can not be taken seriously. Trials are not an exact science, but the lower clubs have played close trials against div 6/7 sides, some of which are C/D grade sides. It's no different than comparing a SANFL club to a Div 1 SAAFL club or Happy Valley.

The ten team Div 1 SFL was something to be proud of.

[MZ]

vics01,

Firstly, I respect your views. Your comment "MSFL caters for college kids who want to play Sunday's" seems to sum up your attitude. No college kids in the SFL is one way to tackle the problem.

My attitude is a little different. I would like to see junior footy participation increase (not decrease as you would have it) in the SFL.

Looking ahead, more and more kids will attend the colleges in the areas of the southern most SFL clubs eg: Tatachilla, Southern Vales, Cardijn, Woodcroft. I am sure it won't be too long before they join the college football system. When this greater proportion of kids from the southern SFL clubs are playing college football do we send them to the MSFL as well? Look at the post from Lion Heart - OSB already have 10 college kids in their U14/16 system. I can guarantee you that this number will grow.

Unless you can convince college's to play games other than on a Saturday we will need to address this problem. Your idea is no college kids in the SFL I have different views.

One other thing. You say "Kids/parents at clubs choose club football for Saturday morning football". Im not so sure they choose it. Its more that thats when it is played so thats when they turn up. Following your thought through, why do parents and kids 'choose' to play Sunday football to 12 then 'chose' Saturdays thereafter. What changes at the age of 12? There is not much choice in it.

[afc9798]

vics01,

Firstly, I respect your views. Your comment "MSFL caters for college kids who want to play Sunday's" seems to sum up your attitude. No college kids in the SFL is one way to tackle the problem.

My attitude is a little different. I would like to see junior footy participation increase (not decrease as you would have it) in the SFL.

Looking ahead, more and more kids will attend the colleges in the areas of the southern most SFL clubs eg: Tatachilla, Southern Vales, Cardijn, Woodcroft. I am sure it won't be too long before they join the college football system. When this greater proportion of kids from the southern SFL clubs are playing college football do we send them to the MSFL as well? Look at the post from Lion Heart - OSB already have 10 college kids in their U14/16 system. I can guarantee you that this number will grow.

Unless you can convince college's to play games other than on a Saturday we will need to address this problem. Your idea is no college kids in the SFL I have different views.

One other thing. You say "Kids/parents at clubs choose club football for Saturday morning football". Im not so sure they choose it. Its more that thats when it is played so thats when they turn up. Following your thought through, why do parents and kids 'choose' to play Sunday football to 12 then 'chose' Saturdays thereafter. What changes at the age of 12? There is not much choice in it.

This whole situation is actually quite complex and there are always compromises, but I do question the number of those college kids who will stay in the SFL after junior football. The majority from what I understand will go to their colleges old collegians teams in the amateur league anyway, so are we just developing talent for the SAAFL? If the majority of their mates are from their school, then naturally they will tend to go there, other than the clubs they played junior footy at.

I, more than anything, want to see a healthy SFL Junior Program and it seems there needs to be a far more proactive approach to addressing the issues identified through all the different points of view. Don't hold much hope though if we can't even get a positive approach to exploring two divisions.

[MZ]

afc9798,

I agree its complex and the retention of college juniors is a huge issue that needs consideration.

I don't believe that not catering for them at a junior level is the answer though - they will never play seniors for a SFL club then and I'm sure the SFL desperately wants young adults who have lived their whole life in the southern suburbs playing in the SFL, regardless of where they were educated.

[THE MOLE]

At least they are A-Grade teams, ie the best possible 21 at their club, rather than C-Grade teams with the players ranked 43-63. An A-Grade competition cannot be taken seriously when there are some teams within it that are not that club's primary focus. If you are making a comment regarding the standard of some of the A-Grade teams within our competition, then that is a completely different argument, but to refer to some of our league's teams as being no more than C-Grade teams is pretty derogatory.

how is it??? those c grade sides would knock some of those sides off!!!

not derogatory, just honest.

LGIL, what is the cost of the fare to the planet that you live on?

Any league the amount of with 40, 50, 60+ goal drubbings over the past 12 years that the SFL has had can not be taken seriously. Trials are not an exact science, but the lower clubs have played close trials against div 6/7 sides, some of which are C/D grade sides. It's no different than comparing a SANFL club to a Div 1 SAAFL club or Happy Valley.

The ten team Div 1 SFL was something to be proud of.

Lgil, just for a minute take your Christies hat off and think about the league, I know if there were 2 divs then Christies will be in the second division as it stands at the moment, but that is rightfully where you sit, the league is a laughing stock, and although through hard work of the clubs( with no help from the sfl who just want clubs to die a slow death) it is becoming more even, imagine how good a 2 division comp would be, think of the top 8 sides playing a competitive game each week and looking forward to a challenge each week, but also look at how good an 8 team second division would be, very competitive with the winner coming from any club that would make finals. Then if you win it you move up into the first division!! Good reward I think! Lets hope the selfish people like you don't continually get there way and bring some pride back into the sfl, do it now before its to late and let's hope the sfl gets saved by the bell

[WHEELS&DEALS]

Where to start, The Morphettville Park football club did not ask for this to happen, when the Sunday programme came out 6 clubs nominated to play in it. Then just before the start of the season all clubs pulled out except Brighton and Morphy Parks. The league looked at a 15 aside comp to see if it would help with attracting other clubs that may have struggled with numbers, that couldn't get off the ground. The SFL then proposed the latest option. Yes it will help us more than any of the other clubs, but we will work with each club we are rostered to play against and hopefully make it work as smooth as possible. The club is very grateful to the SFL for trying to fix this problem and not walking away from it.
The hang up some people have about college kids is ridicules. They have the same write to play club footy as anyone else. Are we supposed to say to them sorry, you go to a private school you’re not welcome in the SFL, go play in the Metro South comp. You want to get kids involved in your club at a young age and then they become part of your club, they get that club culture and ownership of the place. Recruiting kids from year 12 or when they have finished school is much harder. Maybe we should write on our rego forms, if you intend going to a private school you’ll have to leave and find another club outside the SFL when you hit year 8. Some of these college kids will continue with their football and hopefully become senior players for us (we already have a handful of ex college kids playing senior footy for us now), which also means zero point players or maybe we should just keep on applying for extra points. The sooner other clubs realize clubs like Morphy Parks rely on private schools as feeder clubs the better.

[Mister Footy]

vics01,

Firstly, I respect your views. Your comment "MSFL caters for college kids who want to play Sunday's" seems to sum up your attitude. No college kids in the SFL is one way to tackle the problem.

My attitude is a little different. I would like to see junior footy participation increase (not decrease as you would have it) in the SFL.

Looking ahead, more and more kids will attend the colleges in the areas of the southern most SFL clubs eg: Tatachilla, Southern Vales, Cardijn, Woodcroft. I am sure it won't be too long before they join the college football system. When this greater proportion of kids from the southern SFL clubs are playing college football do we send them to the MSFL as well? Look at the post from Lion Heart - OSB already have 10 college kids in their U14/16 system. I can guarantee you that this number will grow.

Unless you can convince college's to play games other than on a Saturday we will need to address this problem. Your idea is no college kids in the SFL I have different views.

One other thing. You say "Kids/parents at clubs choose club football for Saturday morning football". Im not so sure they choose it. Its more that thats when it is played so thats when they turn up. Following your thought through, why do parents and kids 'choose' to play Sunday football to 12 then 'chose' Saturdays thereafter. What changes at the age of 12? There is not much choice in it.

Hello Gentlemen - long time no posting been flat out at work but still enjoy reading this forum when i get time

Wanted to add some southern colleges play in a Wednesday arvo comp including Wodcroft, Cardijn, Tattachilla. How come Brighton kids are now available to play Saturday but not Morphettville Park kids - dont they all go to same college Sacred Heart?

[Secondsquare]

I just can't believe the s.f.l has moved so quickly on this ! Don't they have to set up an investigation party to investigate both sides for ten plus years before they make a decision !!! If you attend a private school you know you are commited to playing for them ! The parents and children all know this when they enrole and sign there paperwork ! If there so desperate to play s. f. l they should attend a public school. Everyone has to make sacrifices to play football where they want to! I would say 99 percent of these kids will end up playing senior footy at shoc etc not Brighton or morphie parks! Maybe essendon should have applied to play Friday nights years ago so dustin fletcher could play for both school and club! What if some kids have church Sunday can we make it a Monday night game? Brighton are so desperate for this to happen because they have already accepted all the registration money from there juniors , which is over $200 each which is ridiculous in itself for juniors ! I know some good footballers that can't play sat cause they earn to much working ., maybe move a grade to Sunday aswell !! Joke!!!

[Front & Centre]

I just can't believe the s.f.l has moved so quickly on this ! Don't they have to set up an investigation party to investigate both sides for ten plus years before they make a decision !!! If you attend a private school you know you are commited to playing for them ! The parents and children all know this when they enrole and sign there paperwork ! If there so desperate to play s. f. l they should attend a public school. Everyone has to make sacrifices to play football where they want to! I would say 99 percent of these kids will end up playing senior footy at shoc etc not Brighton or morphie parks! Maybe essendon should have applied to play Friday nights years ago so dustin fletcher could play for both school and club! What if some kids have church Sunday can we make it a Monday night game? Brighton are so desperate for this to happen because they have already accepted all the registration money from there juniors , which is over $200 each which is ridiculous in itself for juniors ! I know some good footballers that can't play sat cause they earn to much working ., maybe move a grade to Sunday aswell !! Joke!!!

If there so desperate to play s. f. l they should attend a public school. Mate are you kidding?

Not all kids that go to a private school are forced to play footy for their school and this includes Sacred Heart, Tatachilla, Cardin, Immanuel, Cabra, Woodcroft or Westminster. Happy Valley has kids playing for us from most of these schools without any issues.

[oldskool]

Reynella -150pts
M/Vale - 100pts
Edwardstown - 2 goals
Valley - 130pts
MVP - 5pts
Shoes - 120pts
Porties - 40pts

[Secondsquare]

No I am not kidding ! Those kids you speak of are obviously not making there schools first team or are playing when they have byes! If I am so wrong you clown why are we having this argument as all the college kids should be available ! Go crawl back under that rock ! Have your own opinion instead of living of mine !

[Front & Centre]

No I am not kidding ! Those kids you speak of are obviously not making there schools first team or are playing when they have byes! If I am so wrong you clown why are we having this argument as all the college kids should be available ! Go crawl back under that rock ! Have your own opinion instead of living of mine !

Mate - chill out. Stupid to generalise about college kids because there would be lots who go to private schools playing in the SFL already and can play on Saturday. Some schools dont play Saturday or dont have a school footy team so stupid to generalise about all private school kids. Some kids actually choose to play for their club over school.

Only Brighton and Morphettville Park can tell us which schools we are talking about probably Sacred Heart. But plenty of kids have gone to Sacred Heart and made choice to play club over school. Problem has been kids we are talking about now want to have it both ways and play club as well as school.

[Secondsquare]

Thanks for your opinion f and c . From what I am told its not going to happen as most of the clubs other than the want to be amateur teams have strongly rejected the draw! Just ridiculous that the league even listened and considered the proposal!

[Broken Down Hack]

Its been going on for years independent schools football, down in the sth Metro area 5 major public high schools have closed down between 1992 & 2004, Glengowrie, Mawson Dover Gardens, Marion & Vermont, Mitchell Pk High which is now Hamilton and turned into half adult tafe, then there is also Surt ,Tonsley, Oaklands Park, Morphettvlle Pk, Dover Gardens & Darlington ( closed last yr with 23 students) primary schools in that same time frame which have closed........there are 14 senior clubs fighting for the same juniors out of 4 public High schools Brighton, Seaview, Plympton, Pasadena.....plus we have to compete with Westminster, Sacred Heart, Imanual senior and junior schools, plus three or four small Catholic Schools, you think its easy.....no its not......since Morphettville Pk joined the SFL IN 1987......there has been massive change, 1000,s off new homes have been built around Seaford , Onkaparinga Hills, Hallett Cove , Shiedow Pk, Woodcroft, and the clubs in those areas have grown large junior bases due to this growth.......and good on then......to finish off my rant i would like to add that it was the Morphettvlle Pk & Marion Football clubs that pushed for the sun minis to be set up...... attending junior meetings back then in 1998 i was amazed at how many clubs opposed this concept with the old saying, junior football should not be played on sun.....look at it now, thank god Happy Valley & Flagstaff Hill saw the light and voted for the minis concept.......I still fondly remember that first game off minis down at the Pastie in 98....was so interested to see so many ppl from other clubs taking the time out to come down and have a look..... junior football has increased in the SFL ten folds.....i bet many ppl who write there posts have no idea on the history off how it started....